Open AccessInteraction of transforming growth factor‐β‐Smads/microRNA‐362‐3p/CD82 mediated by M2 macrophages promotes the process of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Author(s) -
Zhang Qinghui,
Huang Feng,
Yao Yongliang,
Wang Jianjun,
Wei Jue,
Wu Qiong,
Xiang Shihao,
Xu Ling
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.14101
Subject(s) - epithelial–mesenchymal transition , microrna , transforming growth factor , metastasis , cancer research , tumor microenvironment , transforming growth factor beta , microbiology and biotechnology , hepatocellular carcinoma , mesenchymal stem cell , transition (genetics) , biology , cancer , tumor cells , gene , genetics
Abstract Abnormal tumor microenvironment and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) are important features of tumor metastasis. However, it remains unknown how signals can form complicated networks to regulate the sustainability of the EMT process. The aim of our study is to explore the possible interaction between tumor‐associated macrophages and tumor cells in the EMT process mediated by microRNA (miR)‐362‐3p. In this study, we found that by releasing TGF‐β, M2 macrophages mediate binding of Smad2/3 to miR‐362‐3p promoter, leading to overexpression of miR‐362‐3p. MicroRNA‐362‐3p maintains EMT by regulating CD82, one of the most important members of the family of tetraspanins. Our finding suggests that miR‐362‐3p can serve as a core factor mediating cross‐talk between the TGF‐β pathway in tumor‐associated macrophages and tetraspanins in tumor cells, and thus facilitates the EMT process.